The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
THE NEvA FORTRESS.
! A Palace from, Which None Are Permitted
| Go Free

Go Free.
| St. Petersburg Letter.
More interest centers around three objects IL,
| the immediate vicinity of St. Petersburg than
| all other points in Russia at this time They are
the fortress short distance up the Neya the
| Winter Palace. the home of Alexander II. assas-
| sinated six years ago. in the center of the city,
| and the palace of Alexander Ill at Peterhof.
| two hours distance across the Gulf OF Finland
| to the coast
Russians speak the word fortress with
| shudder. They know what it means. To them
! the fortress near S. Petersburg is something
more thar Fortress Monroe to the people of
| Washington Baltimore. The fortress up the
Neva is terrible prison, where offenders against
the government are given court martial and
| punished None are known to be acquitted,
| that no tales come from the place. When man
woman goes to the fortress he or she is never
heard of more. subject is sent to Siberia in
| exile or is shot In the pen like pig Ia any
| event trip there is journey to death.
The fortress is little island and can only
be reached ey boat Sone but 9 t OF the
allowed to approach IT. A number of strangers,
| out fishing or rowing and not knowing what the
fortress was have lost their lives in attempting
| to land there. On the walls surrounding it are
ever sentinels-guards who have instruction to
shoot down without question or warning all
who approach without authority. When the
nature of the place is known and the of it
understood the purposes of this arsenal
seen. All suspects-everyone known to be plot
ting or working against the crown. or any of the
imperial subjects-are taken here for examina-
ton and execution, and many are never
heard of who taken here that efforts are con-
tinually made to destroy the fortress or rescue
someone in it; and since those who are taken
to it are. in the eyes of the Gar, the rankest
criminals, great efforts must be put forth 10
keep intruders away. 1t is said the waters
about it often crimson with human blood
From the fortress thousands of human souls
structed, and tens of thousands of sentences
have been pronounced against exlles or those
who destined to exile. 1t is sober-looking
structure, and sunk half way into the water.
iDte ed as defense
but now it is the scene of the expiration of crime
against the crown There is no crime punish
able by death, except against the crown A.
man may murder whole household of people in
cold blood and escape with but five year
tence; but if he criticises the government, the
Car, member of his family, or an oficer, he Is
shot at the fortress exiled to Siberia-the
same If he advocates free government, franchise,
a constitution. or public schools. Almost every
day men and women taken from the shops
or their homes and carried in the direction of
the fortress. No one knows what they have
ment they exiled; if they have injured the
of the government they are shot The
examinations conducted secretly. Not only
is the subject not permitted to make a defense.
but his friends not advised of his arrest,
charge or sentence. And the crown takes delight
in making punishment of his offenders swift.
stern and extreme as possible. that the trend
toward nihiism may be checked But it doesn't
seem to check it A Russian never looks up the
Neva from st. Petersburg but that he thinks of
the fortress, and he never thinks of the fortress
without shudderng.
The Winter Palace has probably the most val
liable furnishings, jewels and works OF art OF
any building in the world. 1t is two full blocks
squares in length, and is almost wide,
therefore covering from four to six acres 1t is
of brick, stone and marble, three stories and a
basement. and is altogether worth IN Its COM
pleteness more money than ali the government
buildings at Washington including the United
States Capitol. 1t contains tons upon tons of
gold and silver, barrels of diamonds, rubies and
other precious stones; carloads of valuble pot
terry and china wares; miles-twenty miles-of
the most extravagant paintings and statuary,
and royal carriages, and harness, decked with
diamonds and costing untold millions walked
five hours in it the other day and did not go
through two-thirds of the corridors and rooms
1t would be impossible for occupant to
know half the treasures as to recognize them.
And yet Alexander Ill viii not live here be-
his father did
1t has been customary to erect a new palace
for every ruler to have monument for
each The palaces and furnishings cost
hundreds of millions of dollars, and meanwhile
Russia is almost bankrupt and has not free
public school in her empire. where her roubles,
intended to represent 81 in American money, are
worth but forty five cents In churches and
palaces Russia has more gold and silver than
the United States mints could work into money
within six months and yet she has not rouble
nor kopeck except on paper and copper. The
taxes are twice as high as in America and three
fourths of them go to the royal family, the
church and the army and the navy
Peterhof, where the Gar lives and whence lie
fears to emerge is a beautiful city of probafy
60. 900 people and the seat of art. The private
are the finest in the world. and his personal
penses aggregate 10000. 600 roubles.
more than So 10000 a year. His stables ntan
300 blooded stations. He has a body of
1000 Cossack soldiers and experienced secret
detectives. Some of the latter at his SIDE
even in his private rooms at the palace HIS
food is analysed that he may escape poison He
is in danger if he goes walking, while he never
ventures beyond his doorway without the ocosl-
sion is extremely urgent and his presence Gov
cred by soldiers and detectives. His chapel for
worship is in his own house. Henever goes out
,or exercise amusement. The country
'warms with Nihilists and he fears them
Alexander III, when in his own country, is Il
miserable prisoner in his own palace
The palace at Peterhof, where the Gar lives,
S surrounded by the most magnifcel fount-
inns that money and genius command.
There is nothing to compare with them in the
world. And the broad expanse of park is dotted
With other palaces and buildings filed with
lazzlingly beautiful jewels and works of art,
lone of which he because he cannot
fford to risk his life to satisfy his curiosity.
About three times year the Car ventures away
rom his home in his private yacht
pecial train. Then he is surrounded by thou
ands of soldiers and detectives, and the water